He learned many fossils from Elrhaz formations in Niger. Amid People fossils, he observed fossils of a different dinosaur species that is known as Nigersaurus (“Niger Reptile”). He as well as other paleontologists collected lots of bony elements of Nigersaurus individually and assembled a tough skeleton.
Though the nasal bones are certainly not wholly identified, it appears the front margin from the bony nostril was nearer on the snout than in other diplodocoids. The snout was also proportionately shorter, as well as the tooth row was by no means prognathous, the snout suggestion not protruding relative to the remainder on the tooth series. The maxillary tooth row was in its entirety transversely rotated, its normal rear ninety° everted toward the front. This was matched by An analogous rotation in the dentary on the reduce jaw. Subsequently, no other tetrapod experienced all of its teeth located as significantly for the entrance as
Teeth at diverse advancement phases, Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia The slender teeth experienced slightly curved tooth crowns, which were being oval in cross-part. The crowns had been distinct in getting popular ridges on the margins of their midline and sides. The teeth while in the decreased jaw might are actually twenty–thirty% scaled-down than These while in the upper jaw, but several are known, and they are of unsure maturity. In addition to this, the teeth had been identical.[four] Below Each and every active tooth there was a column of 9 substitution teeth inside the jaw.
But that’s not all for Nigersaurus. Chris took us all to the flat place of purple-coloured sandstone where he had located the higher jaw of the baby Nigersaurus—1 that 500 teeth dinosaur may fit along with a silver dollar!
If real, it will starkly distinction with most sauropod reconstructions, displaying the animal holding its head horizontally.
Nigersaurus, a rebbachisaurid sauropod from the center Cretaceous period, was found out in the Elrhaz Formation in Niger. Its name, which implies “Niger’s lizard,” was provided pursuing the invention of much more finish remains in 1999, Whilst its fossils ended up initial described in 1976.
Nigersaurus's feeding system was as opposed to all kinds of other dinosaurs. Its wide, flat jaw was adapted for grazing near the bottom, earning it the nickname "Mesozoic Cow."
Total, Nigersaurus was a unique and weird dinosaur as a consequence of its dental batteries and huge muzzle, which permitted it to competently process and Obtain plant material. Its tiny dimensions and herbivorous food plan help it become a fascinating contrast into the greater, carnivorous dinosaurs that happen to be much more usually identified to most of the people.
When the very first fossils of Nigersaurus had been identified in 1976, paleontologists couldn’t realize them as a new species. It is actually because the skeleton fossils have been very hollow and distorted.
This swift tooth substitute, with new teeth escalating each and every 14 times, ensured it maintained sharp edges for grazing on comfortable vegetation. The exceptional dental arrangement created it remarkably effective at processing low-lying crops, contributing to its reputation being a specialised herbivore.
Nigersaurus are famed dinosaurs for acquiring 500 slender teeth inside their jaw. These dinosaurs are identified a short while ago inside the yr 2000 and ended up named in the distinction of place “Niger”. The term Nigersaurus has two pieces; Niger (place title), and Saurus (reptile).
What dinosaur has 500 teeth? An unorthodox herbivore, this reptile grazed in what's now the Sahara Desert a hundred and ten million yrs in the past. These sauropod dinosaurs collected foodstuff with a major, broad mouth; the snout was broader when compared to the back again from the creature's head on the first fossil skull.
The vast muzzle of Nigersaurus was most likely an adaptation to its low-lying herbivorous diet, allowing for it to simply scoop up and Get plant material from the bottom.
It experienced a brief neck for just a sauropod, with 13 cervical vertebrae. Almost all rebbachisaurids experienced somewhat shorter necks in addition to a duration of ten m (33 ft) or fewer. The only real member of the family that reached the size of larger sauropods was